Lorraine J. Ashbaugh (nee Fernkes), age 87, of Eau Claire, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2012, at Oakwood Villa Nursing Home in Altoona, WI. Lorraine was born on July 2, 1924, in Bird Island, MN to Frank and Lena Fernkes. At the age of 18, Lorraine left the family farm to attend the College of St. Catherine. She graduated in 1945, as a registered nurse. She worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul and lived on Summit Avenue with three dear friends. One fine day in November of 1945, Lorraine accompanied one of her friends to Eau Claire for a weekend getaway. Upon arriving at the train station, she met a handsome young serviceman who was there to meet the train with her friend's brother. Lorraine and John Ashbaugh courted for three weeks and became engaged. They married on February 2, 1946, at St. Mary's Church in Bird Island and resided in Eau Claire for most of their 60 years of marriage.They raised five children. Lorraine, while working as a nurse at Sacred Heart Hospital, was also a full time wife, mother, and homemaker. Her house was always spotless and she was a fabulous cook! She enjoyed many hobbies but she especially enjoyed reading and playing bridge. Lorraine is preceded in death by her husband, John in 2006;her parents; three brothers; and three sisters; one niece and one nephew. Lorraine is survived by her five children, Mike (Vi) Ashbaugh, Bob (Julie) Ashbaugh, Mary (Bill) Hanafin, Kitty (Mark) Seyffer, and Ellen (Jeff) Harris, all of Eau Claire; four grandchildren, Rachel (Mike) Brunetto of Peoria IL, Krisan Ashbaugh, Kate and Dan Harris, all of Eau Claire; and 25 nieces and nephews. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 322 Fulton St., Eau\r\nClaire, with Father William A. Dhein presiding. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass. Relatives and friends may also call on Friday, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., Eau Claire, with a public prayer vigil beginning at 7 p.m. Burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Eau Claire. Our family would like to extend special gratitude to the staff of Oakwood Villa Nursing Home for their loving care during the past eight months of Mom's life. We would also like to recognize Monsignor Edmund Klimek, Fr. William A. Dhein and Sr. Catherine Manning for their spiritual care. The family requests memorials to be directed to Sacred Heart - St. Patrick's Parish or to the American Diabetes Association.

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